Page 26 of Mad Duke March

The day was truly beautiful. The sun shone above their heads, the birds chirped their cheerful songs, and the fresh air was a welcome change to the stale and dull atmosphere of the Tyrone townhouse.

Reggie, dressed up like a little gentleman, walked up front, looking around the park in awe as if he’d never seen the place.

Harriet and Sophie walked arm in arm, unashamedly studying the gowns of every passing lady, giggling and dreaming up the perfect gowns they’d wear to their come-out balls.

Emily hoped she could patch things up with her duke before that time came. Harriet was seventeen, old enough for her debut. But considering the scandal surrounding Emily, she thought it was better to wait a year. She hoped she would find enough friends among the ton in that time to make her sister’s debut smoother.

Her husband could’ve made her entry into society easier. But of course, the reprobate was more interested in spending his nights in an inebriated stupor.

She wasn’t a saint in this marriage, either. Their last conversation proved as much.

She had never let emotions take over her logic before. For some reason, her husband brought out the worst qualities in her… Or at least, he brought out a range of emotions she didn’t think she was capable of exhibiting.

She took a deep breath, thankful to be walking in silence by her mother’s side as she sorted through her feelings.

There were so many things she wanted to tell her mother—so many burdens she wanted to lay upon her mother’s shoulders. She’d married to solve all her problems, but the problems proved to be obstinate in that regard.

A few minutes into their walk, Emily started noticing something strange.

Some passersby paid undue attention to their little family. Women covered their faces with their fans and bowed their heads toward their companions whispering something while not taking their eyes off Emily.

Was it because they were wearing old-fashioned and slightly worn clothing? Perhaps her hair peeked out of her bonnet?

Emily brought a hand to her short locks when she heard one of the ladies say something to her companion that cleared everything up.

“Is this the duke’s mistress?” she asked. “Oh, yes, I am sure she is! I saw them frolicking that day on Petticoat Lane!”

Emily’s eyes widened, her cheeks burning from embarrassment. Was that what everyone was talking about?

She only hoped her mother didn’t hear the conversation.

“I heard they’re married now,” another lady chimed in.

“I doubt it. He would’ve introduced her into society,” the first lady continued, quite loudly.

“Can you blame him? Look at the rags she’s wearing. He is probably ashamed of her.”

Emily’s heart racing, she hurried her steps. Her mother weaved her arm through hers and forced her to slow down. “Don’t let them know they hurt you.”

Emily swallowed as the hope that her mother had not heard the conversation died in her chest.

Still, she raised her head high and continued walking.

But she could no longer ignore the snickers, the whispers, and the sidelong glances. Now she knew what the ton was talking about. Her.

Duchess or not, her reputation was in tatters.

Every problem she had hoped to solve by marrying the duke still loomed ominously over her head.

Harriett and Sophie paused and looked back at Emily, their eyes full of hurt and glistening with tears.

They’d heard it, too.

It was too much. Emily wanted to run away, hide from the world and the judgmental gazes, and never come out. But her mother patted her hand, silently encouraging her to stay strong. If not for herself, then for her siblings.

Emily prayed they’d finish the walk with their dignity intact. And then she would… What would she do?

She couldn’t do anything. Those people were right.